Texas Rangers Blog

Ian Kinsler returns to Rangers lineup; Mike Napoli still out

SURPRISE, Ariz. – After sitting out four days with lower back stiffness, 2B Ian Kinsler returns to the Rangers lineup Wednesday when they host the Colorado Rockies at 3:05 p.m. CDT (no broadcast).

Kinsler took batting practice the last two days with no residual soreness from the back and has been cleared to return to action. Napoli, who has not played since March 8, said his groin soreness is improving, but he still hasn’t taken batting practice or squatted into catching position since he started feeling soreness. He is scheduled to take batting practice and do some light jogging on Wednesday, but it appears he is still a couple of days away from returning to the lineup.

Here is today’s full lineup that will back RHP Neftali Feliz, who will pitch three innings or about 50 pitches: